AUGUST 04
REFLECTION:
While reading from
Hosea this morning has jumped several chapters from last week's passage, the
theme is still one of loyalty. It speaks of God as we (try to) understand God:
as a gentle leader. God is clear that we will not be forced into relationship,
but we also see how God delights when we choose to engage in real and
meaningful ways. When we are faithful enough to recognize the power and welcome
of our loving and creating God, and we return, we can know that we were never,
in fact, alone. God leads us with "cords of kindness and bands of
love", has healed us, and is waiting for us; often while we are too busy
in the world to notice or acknowledge. I invite us this week to reflect on how
we can see God leading us, loving us, guiding us, and welcoming us back to the
flock when we stray.
PRAYERS:
We ask for a day of
fulfillment and peace; that we may give and receive kindness, compassion, and
love this day. Open our hearts to all those we encounter, seeing in them the
face of Jesus; help us to be the face of Jesus for them.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Knowing the struggles and
strife of the world, we hold before you the concerns in our hearts and minds.
As we ask for an end to strife, we commit to working for peace and justice. As
we ask for good government and faithful leaders, we commit to praying for those
in authority and advocating for the vulnerable.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
We hold before you the
children and youth of our communities and our hearts. Grant us the wisdom to
embrace their enthusiasm, the courage to love them as they are, and the joy in
welcoming them as you welcomed them. Help us to move beyond our own fears or
perceptions to find ways to engage with the children and their families in
helpful and faithful ways.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Open our eyes and ears to
the people we see today; that those who live here may be patient ambassadors
for the area, and that those whoa re guests may experience kindness and grace.
Help us to speak your love which transcends all language.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Open our hearts to those
whom we do not see today: we ask your blessing on all those who are working,
those who are exhausted, those who have not heard your good news, and those who
do not know your house as a place of peace and welcome. Give them every good
gift that their day may be joyful; and help us to extend your care wherever we
meet.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Send your healing power
upon all who suffer: those who are sick in mind, body, or spirit; those whose
ailments are unknown and unseen; those whose limited mobility will keep them
home; those whose grief is overbearing. We humbly ask you to encircle them with
your love that their spirits may journey towards health and wholeness.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Strengthen our faith to
live in the truth of your resurrection; may we bear the joy of being your
people. Hear our pleas for forgiveness, accompany us as we seek reconciliation,
embolden us to discern how we are called to be your church. By the power of
your life-giving Spirit, may we grow in faith and witness to your perfect love.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.
AUGUST 11
REFLECTION:
By faith! The letter to the Hebrews highlights the power of living by
faith. "Faith" is the most common word in the passage we're given in
today's lectionary, and with good reason. The lesson shares the history of
faith; from the first connection of humanity and God. The omitted section in
the lectionary details the faith of Abel, Enoch, and Noah, before focusing on
the specifics of Abraham's faith experience here on earth (despite known
hardships) and the focus of faith to look toward the heavenly reward that God
has promised us. The full chapter (we receive just a portion) continues to tell
of the faith of many additional individuals and communities: people whose lives
were influenced and improved by their faith in God.
This letter inspires
the reader to consider how faith has been active in their own life: to reflect
and meditate on where and how the Word of God has made life better. This week I
hope you will find some time to reflect on faith in *your* life: in what ways
has faith, "the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction
of things not seen," allowed you to delight in God's grace and share the
Good News of God?
PRAYERS:
As we commit our lives to be your holy church, renew in us the inquiring
and discerning minds of our baptism; inspire us to study your word to better
know you and love you, increase our desire to pray, stir up in our souls an
unquenchable desire to serve all your children. May our spiritual leaders,
including Primate Linda and Archbishop Ron, be faithful models of your grace,
truth, and ministry.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
As our media streams with challenging and devastating situations, we
hold before you the leaders of the world, at every level of government. Help
them to hear your truth in the stillness of their hearts, that their words and
actions would serve to bring peace and justice to the communities they serve,
and health and wholeness to the people they represent. In the midst of their
busy-ness, help them to listen to your still, small voice.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
As we begin to comprehend the global threat to food security due to
human-influenced climate change, we ask your help to change our ways: that all
we do would show respect for your creation and for future generations, and that
our hearts would be open to share our daily bread here at home with those who
already hunger or experience food insecurity
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
As we are fortunate to welcome so many guests to our home town,
especially through events such as this weekend's Folk Harbour Festival, we ask
travelling mercies for all who journey: may their voyages be safe, their
experiences positive, and all their encounters be encouraging.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
As we delight in the beauty and bounty of this world, we give thanks for
all whose work has made our days better: for those farming and fishing; for
those in the tourism industry; for office-workers and for those whose work is
not seen by the public. Remind us to be thankful for the work which calls us
closer to the service of others and to you.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
As we remember in our hearts those who are experiencing illness or
infirmity, pain, fear, or isolation, we ask you to bring comfort. Empower us to
support the sick, to befriend the lonely, to assure the anxious. We ask your
blessing on those who struggle, those who work in health care, and those who
have recently lost a loved one.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
As we strive for a just society, we acknowledge those in our communities
who are struck by unfortunate circumstances. May your power, working in us,
show us opportunities to help: that we may guide the unemployed to meaningful
employment, provide systems to protect the vulnerable, and celebrate the
abundance of our own lives every day.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer.
AUGUST 18:
REFLECTION:
Many years ago, before
cell phones, I worked at a wilderness canoe camp; it was a place where youth of
ventured away from any semblance of civilization for 7-10 days. They carried
with them maps and compasses, and all their food and gear, and were guided by
an 'interpreter' (staff) whose job was to ensure that fun was had and all
returned to base safely at the end of the week.
Part of the training
all the staff received (even the base chaplain!) was on reading and
understanding the weather. Cloud formations, tree leaves, wind and water
patterns, hours of daylight - they all told us something about what to expect,
so we could plan accordingly. Such knowledge informs both the fun and safety of
the trip. Paddling during a thunderstorm, for example, is ill-advised, whereas
a clear calm day invites an early start on the water.
The gift of
interpreting the world around us makes a huge impact on our lives. While these
days we have experts to interpret our weather, Jesus reminds us that there is
more that we should be paying attention to: our spiritual well-being, the
wholeness of our community, the health of our relationships. How might we
better consider the world around us and our own actions and reactions, to
better 'interpret the present time' in a way that gives greater glory to God?
PRAYERS:
Quieting our minds and opening our hearts, let us humbly enter into conversation
with our triune God.
Holy God, we hold before you your church: all those whom you love and
call; all those who do not yet know you; all those who struggle or have lost
their faith. We ask you to guide and direct our leadership, especially Primate Linda
and Archbishop Ron; that they may be a faithful witness to your grace and
truth.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord hear our prayer.
We ask your blessing on the Queen and her family; on all heads of
government; and on all who bear the responsibility of governance. Enfold them
with your Holy Spirit that they may practice servant leadership for the benefit
of all whom they represent.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord hear our prayer.
Help us to marvel at your glorious creation, to fall in love anew with
the beauties of the world. May we be so enamoured with this great gift that we
strive to protect it for the enjoyment and safety for generations to come.
Empower us to advocate against war and violence, and for the protection of the
ecosystems that sustain all life.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord hear our prayer.
Jesus, as you ministered to those in your community, help us to shine your
light in our community. We ask you to bless all who live and work in this our
home town. Open our eyes to the abundance of things to be thankful for; open
our hearts to those who struggle with daily needs; that we may work to bring
your blessing to all we encounter.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord hear our prayer.
Prince of Peace, help us to bring your comfort to all who are in need:
to the unemployed and underemployed; to the lonely and isolated; to the sick
and infirm; to the dying and those who grieve; to those who feel fearful and
hopelessness. Surround them with your love and encourage them on their journey
to wholeness.
We pray to the Lord:
Lord hear our prayer.
Knowing that you hear the words of our lips and the whispers of our
hearts, we ask you to grant our prayers as may be best for us, that our lives
may give you glory and honour, now and forever.
Amen.
AUGUST 25
REFLECTION:
For some this week, the heat and humidity has made the
air feel heavy, making us feel as though we are carrying a burden from the
weather. For many, this sense of being weighed down is ongoing: physical pain,
emotional disruption, spiritual angst - often unseen, these realities can wear
us down, tire us out, and prevent us from living fully.
We're invited in this week's gospel to bring the burdens
that we bear to Jesus: Jesus who sees us and knows us, even when we struggle.
Jesus who wants for us to be set free from all that weighs us down. Jesus that demonstrates
to the crowd that no excuse should be used to prevent healing.
And were invited to respond to the needs of others, as
Jesus does: to be intentional about seeing the people in front of us,
acknowledging the burdens they are carrying, and doing what we can to help
people to release what keeps them weighted down and to move towards spiritual
health and wholeness.
Let us consider in our own lives: what burden is weighing
down our spirits? How can we bring it to Jesus, and accept the gift of healing,
so we might stand straight before our Lord? What do we need to open our eyes to
the burdens and weights of others? And in what ways can we engage with our
neighbours to assist them in carrying their loads?
PRAYERS:
To the petition "Lord,
in your mercy" please respond with "hear our prayer."
Draw us together as your
church, that we may serve you in love and mission. Bless our leadership, Primate
Linda and Archbishop Ron; guide and direct us into ways of peace and unity in
your name and for your sake.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Pour your blessing upon the Queen and her family; on our prime minister,
premier, and mayor. May the leaders of the nations lead with humility and
grace, deferring to your truth as they govern.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
God of guidance, help us to see our own actions that cause pain and suffering
and threaten life: direct us away from our influence in broken ecosystems that
burn and flood, in broken communities facing violence and oppression, in broken
spirits that isolate and depress. Send your Holy Spirit to inspire us to better
action for the sake of your creation.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
As the summer nears an end, we hold before you our community: those
whose employment will soon end, those who are preparing to go back to school,
those who continue to engage in travel and tourism, those who engage in rest
and recreation. May we gratefully count the blessings of our home.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
We hold before you those who are experiencing need: for the sick whose
names we hold in our hearts, and those who are known to you alone; for those
who experience physical need for food and shelter; for those who are lonely,
anxious, grieving, and depressed. May they lay their burdens at your feet and
know the consolation of your love.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
We ask you to answer our
prayers as may be best for us, granting us knowledge of your truth and love,
and assurance of your promise of eternal life. Amen.
